If I wasn't writing about old video games and that on here, I'd probably be writing about theme parks. Whatever it is that appeals to me about games, theme parks stimulate the exact same gland.
It's a fatuously expensive interest to have, given that most of the really good theme parks are overseas, but I got hooked on Orlando back in the mid-00s, and like all passionate love affairs... logic and common sense are flung out the window. To be candid, rarely a day goes by when I don't watch a YouTube video about theme parks, and my Kindle is straining at the hems with books about the history of Disney and Universal Studios.
For me, the appeal is a heady brew of history, unparalleled accomplishment in art, design and customer services, the immersive nature of the theming, and sheer human achievement. And the fact that, for the most part, the best theme parks are just, y'know, really nice places to spend time. For me they're a celebration of human potential, somewhere to forget that the world can be a pretty grim place.
Until recently, my passion for theme parks had failed to intersect with my love of video games. That all changed back in 2015, when Universal Studios and Nintendo announced a joint venture to smash theme parks and video games into one another's face.
Wait. What? What mean dis?!
It's a fatuously expensive interest to have, given that most of the really good theme parks are overseas, but I got hooked on Orlando back in the mid-00s, and like all passionate love affairs... logic and common sense are flung out the window. To be candid, rarely a day goes by when I don't watch a YouTube video about theme parks, and my Kindle is straining at the hems with books about the history of Disney and Universal Studios.
For me, the appeal is a heady brew of history, unparalleled accomplishment in art, design and customer services, the immersive nature of the theming, and sheer human achievement. And the fact that, for the most part, the best theme parks are just, y'know, really nice places to spend time. For me they're a celebration of human potential, somewhere to forget that the world can be a pretty grim place.
Until recently, my passion for theme parks had failed to intersect with my love of video games. That all changed back in 2015, when Universal Studios and Nintendo announced a joint venture to smash theme parks and video games into one another's face.
Wait. What? What mean dis?!
Work is already underway at Super Nintendo World in Japan - scheduled to open in time for the 2020 Olympics - with plans to bring it to Florida at some unspecified future date. Roughly £400 million is being invested in the Osaka project, putting the budget at somewhere around the cost of Universal's commitment to its Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley expansion.
The latter includes a complete and entirely enveloping recreation of the location from the Harry Potter movies, complete with in-world shops, a restaurant, a technologically advanced thrill ride which takes guests through the vaults of Gringott's Bank, and a full-sized dragon that belches "horse poison" (fire).
Construction on Super Nintendo World got underway at Universal Tokyo in summer 2017, following a slightly bizarre groundbreaking ceremony, at which Universal executives donned Mario hats and gloves, and joined Shigeru Miyamoto to frolic and scurry with a person in a full Mario costume.
Suffice to say, it looks like it could be the ultimate destination for any video game fan and for any theme park fan, and if you're a fan of both then, well, what they're planning will blemish your "undies".
Here's everything we know right now.
The latter includes a complete and entirely enveloping recreation of the location from the Harry Potter movies, complete with in-world shops, a restaurant, a technologically advanced thrill ride which takes guests through the vaults of Gringott's Bank, and a full-sized dragon that belches "horse poison" (fire).
Construction on Super Nintendo World got underway at Universal Tokyo in summer 2017, following a slightly bizarre groundbreaking ceremony, at which Universal executives donned Mario hats and gloves, and joined Shigeru Miyamoto to frolic and scurry with a person in a full Mario costume.
Suffice to say, it looks like it could be the ultimate destination for any video game fan and for any theme park fan, and if you're a fan of both then, well, what they're planning will blemish your "undies".
Here's everything we know right now.
According to the official bland-o-blurb, Super Nintendo World will be a true collaboration between theme park designers and Nintendo's most legendary game designer: "Super Nintendo World will feature characters and themes from the Super Mario series, which has continued over the years to win the hearts of devoted fans around the world. The attraction area will also feature a variety of other globally popular Nintendo characters.
"Nintendo characters and the worlds they inhabit will be re-created at the highest level of quality through the strong partnership between Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto, Creative Fellow at Nintendo, and Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative, renowned for creative and technical excellence.
"Super Nintendo World will allow guests to fully immerse themselves and all five senses in the worlds of Nintendo, and is expected to attract guests from Japan and the world over."
Five senses?!? But I've only got two that work!
"Nintendo characters and the worlds they inhabit will be re-created at the highest level of quality through the strong partnership between Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto, Creative Fellow at Nintendo, and Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative, renowned for creative and technical excellence.
"Super Nintendo World will allow guests to fully immerse themselves and all five senses in the worlds of Nintendo, and is expected to attract guests from Japan and the world over."
Five senses?!? But I've only got two that work!
Discussing Super Nintendo World, Miyamoto told 4Gamer last year: "As we are expecting many people to bring their Switch into the theme park, we’re are actively discussing with Universal’s engineers on how to handle interactivity between Nintendo Switch and park attractions."
Evidently, Universal and Nintendo are intending Super Nintendo World to be interactive - via the Switch - in a similar way to how guests can purchase special wands in Universal's Wizarding World, using them to cast spells and trigger physical effects (such as making objects 'float', smoke to billow out of crannies, and causing septicaemia in passers-by).
Evidently, Universal and Nintendo are intending Super Nintendo World to be interactive - via the Switch - in a similar way to how guests can purchase special wands in Universal's Wizarding World, using them to cast spells and trigger physical effects (such as making objects 'float', smoke to billow out of crannies, and causing septicaemia in passers-by).
Above is the a purportedly leaked plan for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Florida. Construction walls were erected earlier this year, with part of the park - Woody Woodpecker's Kidzone - seemingly having been closed for good to make way for the new area.
However, those areas have since been reopened, with rumours suggesting that Universal now intends to place its Super Nintendo World in a brand new theme park, a short distance from the existing Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk complex.
The rumoured name for this park - based upon a trademark filed by Universal earlier this year - is Fantastic Worlds, and though pre-construction ground preparation is reported to have already begun, the earliest suggested opening date is sometime in the mid-2020s.
However, those areas have since been reopened, with rumours suggesting that Universal now intends to place its Super Nintendo World in a brand new theme park, a short distance from the existing Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and City Walk complex.
The rumoured name for this park - based upon a trademark filed by Universal earlier this year - is Fantastic Worlds, and though pre-construction ground preparation is reported to have already begun, the earliest suggested opening date is sometime in the mid-2020s.
A look at the original concepts for the Florida area reveals a strong Mario presence, with entry via a warp pipe beneath Peach's Castle and the Mushroom Kingdom, and Bowser's Castle situated at the opposite side of the land.
Additional areas, according to the "leaked plans", would have included a playground themed around Kirby, a Donkey Kong Island, and Zelda's Kingdom. Dominating the land - which sprawls over two storeys - is a Mario ride, since confirmed to be based upon Mein Kampf (Super Mario Kart).
Other rides listed on the plans include Bullet Bill's Flying Ride, Koopa Troopa Spinning Shells, Pokemon Training Academy, a character stage, and a mushroom-themed restaurant.
Reportedly, the original concept has been scaled back - at least during phase one of its operation - to a primarily Mario-themed land.
Additional areas, according to the "leaked plans", would have included a playground themed around Kirby, a Donkey Kong Island, and Zelda's Kingdom. Dominating the land - which sprawls over two storeys - is a Mario ride, since confirmed to be based upon Mein Kampf (Super Mario Kart).
Other rides listed on the plans include Bullet Bill's Flying Ride, Koopa Troopa Spinning Shells, Pokemon Training Academy, a character stage, and a mushroom-themed restaurant.
Reportedly, the original concept has been scaled back - at least during phase one of its operation - to a primarily Mario-themed land.
Universal has stated that the project will be fully immersive; “Gigantic Piranha Plants spring to life; question blocks, power-ups and more surround you” they barked.
This is in line with the way theme parks are evolving, in the wake of the opening of Universal's Harry Potter-themed Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley locations, Disney's awe-inspiring Pandora: World of Avatar, and next year's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (due to open in summer at Disneyland, and the autumn in Disneyworld's Hollywood Studios).
Theme park lands are becoming increasingly immersive, from the decor and lack of sightlines into other park areas, to the food and drink, to the characters who inhabit and work in the lands. Galaxy's Edge will even give each guest their own storyline, which is influenced by their performance on the rides (they'll get to fly the Millennium Falcon).
Reportedly, Nintendo shareholders were at one point concerned that guests would be "too satisfied" with the park's immersive theming and attractions, to the point where they stopped playing Nintendo games. Nintendo's shareholders are idiots.
This is in line with the way theme parks are evolving, in the wake of the opening of Universal's Harry Potter-themed Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley locations, Disney's awe-inspiring Pandora: World of Avatar, and next year's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (due to open in summer at Disneyland, and the autumn in Disneyworld's Hollywood Studios).
Theme park lands are becoming increasingly immersive, from the decor and lack of sightlines into other park areas, to the food and drink, to the characters who inhabit and work in the lands. Galaxy's Edge will even give each guest their own storyline, which is influenced by their performance on the rides (they'll get to fly the Millennium Falcon).
Reportedly, Nintendo shareholders were at one point concerned that guests would be "too satisfied" with the park's immersive theming and attractions, to the point where they stopped playing Nintendo games. Nintendo's shareholders are idiots.
Concept art for the Donkey Kong Island area suggests some sort of treehouse-themed playground, with a hint - in the top left - at a rumoured mine kart rollercoaster. Whether this has remained part of current plans for Super Nintendo World remains to be seen.
However, of biggest interest to gaming fans is the confirmed Mario Kart Experience, which looks - from recently revealed Universal patents - as if it'll be based around all-new ride technology, possibly even including a competitive element for guests (similar to how Disney's Cars-themed Radiator Springs Racers in California has a different winner each ride).
Theme park attractions have become ever more ambitious in recent years, combining video with physical sets in ways that would've been impossible just a few years ago.
Above seems to be a patent for a mine cart-style "boom coaster" - which places wheeled vehicles above a fake track, suspected on a hidden "boom" which allows the ride to simulate jumping over obstacles, broken tracks, and the like. You know: a bit like in the Donkey Kong Country games.
The patent reads: "Because the passenger may believe that the simulated ride surface controls a path of the passenger vehicle, the passenger may fear or anticipate that the passenger vehicle may crash or otherwise incur damage as a result of the elevated gap,"
Above seems to be a patent for a mine cart-style "boom coaster" - which places wheeled vehicles above a fake track, suspected on a hidden "boom" which allows the ride to simulate jumping over obstacles, broken tracks, and the like. You know: a bit like in the Donkey Kong Country games.
The patent reads: "Because the passenger may believe that the simulated ride surface controls a path of the passenger vehicle, the passenger may fear or anticipate that the passenger vehicle may crash or otherwise incur damage as a result of the elevated gap,"
One relatively new technology which theme parks are starting to make the most of is projection-mapping. Disney's upcoming Mickey Mouse ride - due to open at Hollywood Studios in Florida next summer - is a trackless 2.5D ride, which brings otherwise flat scenery to life using high-definition projections. Disney currently uses projection mapping on its fireworks shows, which transform their fairytale castles into 3D screens.
It looks as if Mario Kart Experience will feature karts on a track, but with projection mapping used for the surrounding scenery, and physical elements which all combine to create a sense of speed.
A version of this is currently seen at Universal's Fast & Furious ride - starring "The Bront" (The Rock) - which places guests aboard a "party bus" for a high-speed race through Los Angeles. In reality, the bus is actually on a track, and the sense of speed is achieved through a surprisingly convincing combination of projections either side of the ride vehicle, and blowing wind through their hairs.
It looks as if Mario Kart Experience will feature karts on a track, but with projection mapping used for the surrounding scenery, and physical elements which all combine to create a sense of speed.
A version of this is currently seen at Universal's Fast & Furious ride - starring "The Bront" (The Rock) - which places guests aboard a "party bus" for a high-speed race through Los Angeles. In reality, the bus is actually on a track, and the sense of speed is achieved through a surprisingly convincing combination of projections either side of the ride vehicle, and blowing wind through their hairs.
The patent for what appears to be the Mario Kart Experience, describes a "drift racer" simulator, with two-person karts giving one rider a degree of control over the steering, and the other free to fire weapons in a "time/points competition with another car".
Universal's patent honks: "The user input devices may generate feedback relating to movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle (e.g., speed, acceleration, deceleration, direction, and/or orientation), feedback relating to rewards in the interactive ride, feedback relating to obstacles in the interactive ride, feedback relating to other multi-passenger ride vehicles or other objects in the interactive ride, or a combination thereof based on input from the one or more passengers.
"The feedback generated by the user input devices may be used to control features or operations of the multi-passenger ride vehicle such as movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle, obtaining rewards, avoiding obstacles, and/or engaging with other multi-passenger ride vehicles and/or objects in the interactive ride."
Feedback!
Universal's patent honks: "The user input devices may generate feedback relating to movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle (e.g., speed, acceleration, deceleration, direction, and/or orientation), feedback relating to rewards in the interactive ride, feedback relating to obstacles in the interactive ride, feedback relating to other multi-passenger ride vehicles or other objects in the interactive ride, or a combination thereof based on input from the one or more passengers.
"The feedback generated by the user input devices may be used to control features or operations of the multi-passenger ride vehicle such as movement of the multi-passenger ride vehicle, obtaining rewards, avoiding obstacles, and/or engaging with other multi-passenger ride vehicles and/or objects in the interactive ride."
Feedback!
In addition to projection mapping, physical elements appear to be a big part of the Mario Kart Experience; the above seems to show a carousel with Mario-like blocks moving faster than the ride vehicle, again simulating a sense of high speed.
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As if the ride wasn't already complex enough, it's also rumoured to feature Augmented Reality, with guests wearing glasses which overlay interactive graphics onto the physical and projection-mapped set elements. You know: like seeing an egg disappearing up a real nozzle!
According to the patent, the AR glasses would detect the “Passenger’s gaze direction, viewing perspective, field of view, viewing interest, interaction with the game, and so forth.”
According to the patent, the AR glasses would detect the “Passenger’s gaze direction, viewing perspective, field of view, viewing interest, interaction with the game, and so forth.”
AR also looks as if it'll be coming to Super Nintendo Land outside of the rides. Those familiar with the binoculars in the Mario games will doubtless recognise the potential in the above image - which here shows a theme park guest looking at some animals fannying around in a barn.
It isn't difficult to imagine looking through the AR viewer at a distant part of Super Nintendo World and seeing an animated Mario stomping on turts.
In short: "“The wearable visualization device may be used alone or in combination with other features to create a surreal environment, which may include an AR experience, a VR experience, a mixed reality experience, a computer-mediated reality experience, a combination thereof, or other similar surreal environment for the user.
"Specifically, the wearable visualization device may be worn by the user throughout the duration of a ride (e.g., a passenger ride vehicle) or another predetermined point such as during a game, at the entry of a particular area of an amusement park, during a ride to a hotel associated with the amusement park, at the hotel, and so forth.”
It isn't difficult to imagine looking through the AR viewer at a distant part of Super Nintendo World and seeing an animated Mario stomping on turts.
In short: "“The wearable visualization device may be used alone or in combination with other features to create a surreal environment, which may include an AR experience, a VR experience, a mixed reality experience, a computer-mediated reality experience, a combination thereof, or other similar surreal environment for the user.
"Specifically, the wearable visualization device may be worn by the user throughout the duration of a ride (e.g., a passenger ride vehicle) or another predetermined point such as during a game, at the entry of a particular area of an amusement park, during a ride to a hotel associated with the amusement park, at the hotel, and so forth.”
This patent for a simulator ride appears to use similar technology to Disney's Soarin' attraction - which lifts guests into the air for a gentle flight above world landmarks, with environmental effects such as water and nice smells helping to sell the illusion.
The Universal patent - which, confusingly, depicts guests wearing Iron Man-like armour - includes force feedback technology, to simulate the effect of explosions on guests. It's worth noting that, this may not be a patent for a Nintendo ride. In Florida, Universal owns the theme park rights in perpetuity to Marvel's comics characters, via a deal which pre-dates Disney's purchase of Marvel.
Another rumoured attraction is a Yoshi 'dark ride' similar to Disney's Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, with speculation suggesting a shoot 'em up element, similar to the game Yoshi's Safari.
The Universal patent - which, confusingly, depicts guests wearing Iron Man-like armour - includes force feedback technology, to simulate the effect of explosions on guests. It's worth noting that, this may not be a patent for a Nintendo ride. In Florida, Universal owns the theme park rights in perpetuity to Marvel's comics characters, via a deal which pre-dates Disney's purchase of Marvel.
Another rumoured attraction is a Yoshi 'dark ride' similar to Disney's Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, with speculation suggesting a shoot 'em up element, similar to the game Yoshi's Safari.
And that's about all anybody knows right now. Both Nintendo and Universal are legendarily guarded over their future plans, and it's likely to be some time before we know more. Regardless, we do know that Super Nintendo World will open in Japan in 2020, and in Orlando at some vague future point.
Excited? Why, I've already soiled myself in preparation!
Excited? Why, I've already soiled myself in preparation!
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